Justin Carlisle isn’t interested in running a large restaurant, so when he found a large space in the 3rd Ward, he decided to open two restaurants.

The executive chef at Umami Moto — until June 22 — plans to open Jefferson House, a casual restaurant with a rotating menu, and Ardent, a small, reservation-only restaurant open only on weekends, he said.

“What I always wanted to do was more intimate, smaller spaces,” he said. “That way I can control and create a better experience.”

Carlisle joined Umami, a Japanese restaurant in downtown Milwaukee, in 2011. The Wisconsin native was recruited to Milwaukee after working in Madison and Chicago by Omar Shaikh, co-owner of Umami Moto parent company Surg Restaurant Group.

But he said at age 34 that time is dwindling for him to try opening his own restaurant.

“I’m at the point where you make decisions,” he said. “Do I go off and take this risk... or do I accept that I’m not going to do this and move on?”

The restaurants will open at 525 E. Menomonee St., former home to the Holiday House and most recently the short-lived Chili Lili’s Chili Bar. Carlisle admits it’s an awkward location, across the street from Summerfest but not on one of the 3rd Ward’s main thoroughfares. He said he wants to cater to the condo and apartment dwellers living nearby.

Jefferson House will be open Wednesday through Sunday, including Sunday brunch. Menu items will run from $5 to $20 and will change often, he said.

Ardent will be open Friday and Saturday nights, he said. Each night will include one seating of up to 30 people dining from a tasting menu.

Carlisle is bringing his general manager from Umami, Dan Frame. He hopes to open in August.